The Teresian Jubilee Year finishes in Avila and Alba de Tormes

There has come to an end the first Teresian jubilee year granted by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to Avila and Alba de Tormes, on the condition that the feast of St Teresa of Jesus be celebrated on Sunday.

In Avila, between the novena and the closing Mass in the cathedral, at which presided the diocesan Bishop, Monseñor Jesús García Burillo, there was celebrated on the 15th of October a solemn Mass at which presided the Vicar General of the Order, Fr Agustí Borrell, ocd, followed by a procession of the statue of the Saint through the streets of the city.

In Alba de Tormes the celebrations began with a solemn Mass at which presided the Bishop of Salamanca, Monseñor Carlos López, followed by a procession. On the 22nd, as is traditional on the octave of the feast, the inhabitants of Avila said farewell to the Saint with an emotional processional through the streets of the locality, after celebrating the Eucharist at which presided Fr Miguel Márquez.

This year, the number of pilgrims arriving at Avila and Alba de Tormes has been very high and noteworthy was the visit of His Majesty, King Felipe VI of Spain, on the 19th of September, who entered through the holy door and visited the Teresian museum in Avila.

Both locations managed to organize, in addition, a religious program, catechetical-Teresian and cultural that, in Alba de Tormes, will continue until December with the Vítor Teresa exhibition. [Vítor = Public rejoicing in honor of the achiever of some glorious deed.]